Rowing

As a GPS school, Sydney High is able to offer rowing as a summer sport. This is a wonderful opportunity for High students to be able to row at a state high school.

While rowing is physically and mentally challenging, it is also very
rewarding and enjoyable. It is one of the ultimate team sports promoting strong
friendships and camaraderie, a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and the
discipline necessary for good HSC study habits.

The rowing program takes place at the home of High Rowing, the Outterside
Centre in Abbotsford, a fully equipped rowing shed, with large dormitory,
semi-commercial kitchen, dining area, and gym, allowing students to participate
from Year 7 to 12.

Highlights

AAGPS Head of the River – High has a long history competing in this prestigious regatta

NSW CHS Regatta – we are a strong, competitive school winning many medals

Taree Senior Training Camp in January each year

Melbourne High School Year 10 Annual Rowing Trip

Holiday Development Camps

The Program

Students may join the rowing program in any year but it is a skilful sport, which takes time to learn.

Junior Years

Year 7 boys start rowing in Term 1. They learn to row in
Quad Sculls Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning. They continue to learn to
row in Y8 Quads in Term 4, preparing for the regattas in Term One. The boys row
on Wednesday after school, in Thursday sport time, Saturday mornings, and attend
5 Friday night camps during Term 4.

Year 8 continue rowing and start racing in Y9 Quads at the
GPS regattas during Term 4. These regattas continue until end of February. The
rowers are continuing to improve their skill and technique while gaining
fitness. The boys row on Monday after school, in Thursday sport time, Saturday
mornings, and attend 5 Friday night camps during Term 4.

Year 9: in Term 4 the emphasis is on greater skills and stronger rowers as they start to learn sweep oar technique and race in the GPS Y10 Eights. They continue to race in the GPS regattas during Term 1, culminating at the Head of the River in mid-March. Rowing is on Monday after school, Thursday sport time & after school camp, Friday morning and Saturday morning.

Saturday Training Rowers are expected to attend Saturday training and must make their own way to and from the Outterside Centre (Sydney Buses route 438 travels nearby, within 100m of the Centre).

Saturday Racing All Junior Rowers (except while in Year 7) race
in GPS regattas on most Saturday mornings and must make themselves available at
the Outterside Centre at times determined by their coaches.

Senior Years

Year 10 continue to row and race in sweep oared boats. The skills they acquired in the junior years enables them to row the "mighty 8s", and they race from November each year until the Head of the River in mid-March. Rowing is on Monday after school (with camp), Tuesday morning, Thursday after school (with camp), Friday morning and Saturday mornings. It includes overnight camps at the Outterside Centre.

Year 11 and 12:these rowers are at the pinnacle of sporting achievement in the GPS - the 1st XIII, 2nd XIII and the IV’s. Senior Rowing is conducted on Monday after school, Tuesday morning, Thursday afternoon, Friday morning and Saturday mornings. It includes overnight camps at the Outterside Centre.

Saturday RacingAll Y10 and Senior Rowers race in GPS, club and state regattas. These are often at the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith on Saturdays. The rowers also need to be available for boat loading before and after the regatta.

Uniform

Boys wear ‘zooties’ available from the High Store, otherwise shorts and
t-shirts. They need rugby socks, cap and white long sleeve t-shirt. A white long sleeve t-shirt can be worn under the zootsuit for sun protection at training. Sunscreen is
provided. The school zootsuit is compulsory in regattas.

Gym Training

It is crucial for all rowers build on strength and endurance. All rowers are expected to use the gym at school. A tailored program for rowers has been developed. Y8 quads on Monday afternoon, Y9 quads on Wednesday afternoon, Y10 eights on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and seniors on Monday mornings and Wednesday sport time.

Transport

School bus on school days

Parents need to organise transport on Saturdays. Car-pooling is encouraged

Buses 438 and L38 leave from near the sheds travelling to the city

Rivercats are available from nearby wharf

Events and Fundraising

Annual events on the rowing calendar are –

Parents Welcome/Orientation to Rowing

Shed Race/Barbecue Breakfast

Boat Naming Cocktail Party

High Regatta

Rowing Dinner

Rowing is an expensive sport to run, please support any fundraising initiatives undertaken by rowing. Parking for nearby sporting fixtures on the school grounds is a major source of income for rowing. Please help at least one rowing parking day during the year.

Parents

Rowing would not operate without the support of parents.

In Year 7/8, parents are requested to assist in barbecue operations at the Outterside centre on
Saturday Mornings and help at Friday overnight camps.

Year 10 and Senior parents are required to help at overnight camps either
preparing food and/or supervising overnight. At least once per term is required.

Location

The Sydney High Rowing Sheds are at the Outterside Centre, 5 Teviot Ave, Abbotsford.